Adjustable steering-wheel post



"March 10, 1931. U E 1,795,567

ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL POST Filed May 2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenlor gmm A Ilomey March 10,.1931. s. P. MAURICE 3 67.

ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL POST Filed May 2, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor 0 q P. MZQaW/Ge,

A llorney Patented Mar. 10, 1931 V UNITED STATES GEORGE I. MAURICE, F KANSASVILLE, WISCONSIN l ADJUSTABLE STEERING-WHEEL POST Application filed. May 2, 1930', Sria1No, 44S,287.

This invention relates to an improved extensible post for a motor vehicle steering wheel structure.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a turning post whose length may be shortened or lengthened to vary the elevation of the steering wheel and to facilitate gripping thereof by drivers of different builds and statures.

16 It is a matter of common knowledge that many drivers are forced to resort to the use of cushions to bring the hands at a convenient and comfortable elevation for gripping the ordinary fixed steering wheel, while others find the steering wheel too low. Thus, it follows that the present invention is designed to permit the steering wheel to be arranged at the requisite elevation to accommodate the user and to promote easier driving, and comfort and to thereby avoid accidents from improper arrangement of the steering wheel as a result from the ordinary rigid construction now generally used.

In carrying the invention into practice I have developed a novel and economical structural arrangement of parts characterized by simplicity and convenience and susceptible of fulfilling the requirements of a structure of this class in a dependable and satisfactory to manner.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the improved steering post arrangement with the dash board and floor board shown in section.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view through the complete assembly as constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a like sectional view taken on the line H of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of one of the details.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the retaining latch. I

In Figure 1 the numeral 8 designates the dash board while 9 represents the floor board. In Figure 2 the numeral 10 represents the outer rigid tubular casing which has av flange at its b'ottomt bolted? to the floor board and constructed intermediate its ends with asubstantially: spherical gear. housing 11. This part? has ahinged: cover atl'la to permit 210- class to" be had to the interior. Located in the internal channel. formed at the upper end of this casing isa: washer 12 having a square hole therein to receive correspondingly shaped extensible shaft 13. 7 It will be e0 noted that there is a similar washer at 14 andit'helatter washer serves to accommodate theupperprotruding end of the shaft, this washer 14 being. mounted; in the sliding cap 15- which fitstelescopically over the upper as end ofi thetubular casing 10. Inthis connection- I call attention to-the fact that the upper-end ofthe shaft 13 is reduced as. at 16 to accommodate the customary steering wheel; (not-shown). Iealso' oall attention to a third: washer 17. located! iirtlie tubular casing adjacent the gear housing 11.

The numeral 18 designates a relatively stat-ionary rotatably mounted tubular shaft which telescopically receives the lower end portion of the solid: shaft 13. Both of these shaftsaremectangular incross section as seen in Figure 3. The lower end. ofthe tubular shaft18 isreduced as at 19 for operating connection with the customary securing gears so (not showns): at the bottom of the post struc ture. The tubular shaft 18 extends up and intothe housing 7, where it is formed with an elongated slot asat 20 iii-Figure 6 to ex posethe rack-teeth 21. on. the solid. shaft 13. as The numerals 22 designate; suitable brackets inwhich the shaft 23. carrying the pinion 24 is journaled for rotation The shaft 23 is formed" witha turning knob or key as at 25 whichis conveniently located for operation inthehousing11. In thisconnection itwill benoted. thatthe bracket 22in Figure 3 is provided with a pivoted latch 27 whose notched portion is constructed to embrace therectangular stemportion of the key 25 to hold the pinion 24 against rotation when it has been moved to the desired set position.

In operation it is understood that by releasing the latch 27 from the stem of the key 25 and then turning the key 25, the rack and pinion means will come into play to' actuate the solid shaft 13 longitudinally. The shaft 13 may he slid in or out according to the direction of rotation of the key. In so doing, the sleeve like cap 15 will he slid up or down on the main stationary casing 10. As the steering wheel (not shown) is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 13, its elevation can be accurately regulated according to the desired need of the driver.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

What is claimed is 1. In a steering column construction of the class described, an outer casing, a sliding cap on the upper end thereof, a shaft assembly in said casing including a pair of companion telescoping shaft sections, one section being provided with rack teeth, a pinion carried by said casing and having its teeth in operating mesh with the rack teeth, means for rotatively connecting the rack section with the cap whereby the cap will be moved longitudinally with the section but will not rotate therewith, operating means for said pinion, and a retaining latch for said operating means.

2. In a steering column construction of the class described, an outer casing, a sleeve like cap slidably mounted on the upper end thereof, a tubular shaft section arranged in said casing and projecting below the lower end thereof for operating connection with the steering mechanism, an upper shaft section fittin telescopically in to the first named section and provided with rack teeth, and having its upper end extending through said cap and fashioned to accommodate a steering wheels, means for connecting the cap with said upper section whereby the cap will move longitudinally with said section but will not rotate therewith, said casing including a gear housing, a pinion gear mounted in said housing and in operating connection with the rack teeth of said shaft section, an operating key for said gear, and a pivoted retaining latch for said key for holding the key and pinion stationary.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE P. MAURICE. 

